The ship creaked beneath us as we docked at the Central Continent port, and I barely managed to keep my footing as we disembarked, grateful to be on solid ground. Each of us staggered off the boat with a mix of exhaustion and lingering nausea, still pale from our rough journey.
The boat rocked again, and Mira let out a groan, clutching her stomach. “Why… why did it have to be a boat?” she mumbled, green-faced, slumping against the railing.
Sylas, who had tried her best to look unfazed, gave in and leaned forward, gripping the side tightly. “This is… way worse than any monster fight,” she muttered, swallowing hard. “Next time… we swim.”
Kael, pale and miserable, let out a shaky breath. “I don’t care if it’s a month-long hike through mountains next time. Anything but this…”
I tried to hold it together, feeling nausea but not quite as bad as the others, mostly because I’d had some experience in my old world with those paddle boat rides from some fairgrounds. Not exactly a real boat, but at least the idea of rocking waves wasn’t entirely new.
“Look,” I said, forcing a grin despite the nausea. “At least we’re not on one of those spinning carnival rides, right? That’d be way worse.”
Kaldor squinted at me, his face nearly as green as Mira’s. “Stop saying nonsense Duke, what are even spinning carnival rides? You look barely better than us. If you’re trying to hold it together, it’s not working.”
“True, but I’ve had some practice.” I shrugged, gripping the railing as another wave hit us, making my stomach flip. “I mean, it’s kind of like—”
Before I could finish, Kaldor let out a strangled, “Nope! That’s it. I can’t handle this,” and staggered forward, staring out at the water with unfocused eyes. “There’s something… something down there, calling me…”
“Oh no, you don’t!” Kael snapped, lunging to grab him just as Kaldor leaned too far forward. “I’ll jump overboard before I let you throw yourself off, Kaldor—”
With a sudden, unsteady flail, Kaldor pulled Kael half over the railing, both of them yelling as they dangled dangerously.
“Hang on!” I rushed over with Sylas, grabbing Kael’s shirt and yanking hard as Sylas latched onto Kaldor’s arm. “Stop seeing things, Kaldor, and hold still!”
“Why can’t you see them, Duke?” Kaldor gasped, finally letting go as we pulled him back. He sank down, dizzy and disoriented. “It’s like the sea is full of… dancing lights.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to hear from you some other time,” Kael muttered, wiping his face as he glared at the water.
“Next time, let’s avoid boats,” Kael muttered, brushing himself off as he looked warily over his shoulder.
Just as I steadied myself, a massive silhouette appeared on the horizon, towering over everything around it. The structure was so tall it looked like it pierced the clouds, gleaming faintly in the sunlight. I squinted, trying to make sense of its staggering height, and felt my stomach drop. It had to be taller than anything I’d ever seen—maybe even higher than the Burj Khalifa from my old world.
“What… is that?” I breathed.
The boatman chuckled, noticing our surprise. “That’s the Sunfire Pyramid,” he said with a hint of pride. “Built by ancient people, tall as anything the gods could make. Said to be a sacred place.”
The others stared, their seasickness momentarily forgotten. “That’s insane,” Mira whispered. “It’s like it’s reaching the sky…”
The sight of the massive tower stayed with us, and even as we stumbled off the boat, finally on solid ground, I couldn’t shake the feeling of awe—or the lingering nausea.
The ship creaked beneath us as we docked at the Central Continent port, and I barely managed to keep my footing as we disembarked, grateful to be on solid ground. Each of us staggered off the boat with a mix of exhaustion and lingering nausea, still pale from our rough journey.
Kaldor was the first to speak up, clutching his stomach. "I don’t know what was worse… the boat or nearly taking a dive off it. ‘Night Hunts,’ they say. More like 'Seasick Nights.'"
Kael raised a brow, smirking despite himself. “Says the guy who saw an ocean spirit and nearly jumped overboard.”
“Hey, in my mind, it felt real.” Kaldor glared at him, pointing to the ship behind us. “That thing made everything feel real, especially the nightmares.”
Sylas groaned, rubbing her temples. “Let’s just agree that ships aren’t our thing. And next time, I’m casting a spell to knock us all out for the ride.”
The boatman chuckled as he approached, handing us a map. “Wouldn’t be the first to need it. You’re in the Southern Port, and by the looks of it, you’re headed to the Sarahart city. This continent’s no playground, so keep to marked paths if you can.”
Mira nodded with a smile. “Thank you! We’ll be careful… as much as we can, anyway.”
We arrived at a small stall lined with sturdy, iron-barred cages, each housing a sleek, muscular creature with scales that shimmered under the sunlight. The stall owner, a wiry man with tanned skin and a toothy grin, noticed our stares.
“You folks looking to rent some Sand Runners?” he asked, gesturing proudly toward the cages. “Nothing faster or more reliable for the desert. Strong legs, sharp senses—won’t leave you stranded out there.”
“What exactly are Sand Runners?” I asked, taking in the creatures’ alert yellow eyes and sturdy legs.
“They’re a breed of desert lizards,” the owner explained, stepping closer to pat one of the cages. “This one here is a Dune Strider, one of the swiftest in the sands. Their scales are smooth like polished stones, keeps the heat off ‘em during long runs in the desert. And don’t let the looks fool ya—they’re tamed to follow commands well enough.”
Kael eyed the creature skeptically, his usual calm expression flickering. “You’re sure they’re tame? I’d rather not get tossed into a canyon halfway through the trip.”
The owner chuckled, crossing his arms. “Trust me, these lizards are smart. You treat them right, and they’ll get you anywhere you need to go safely. Plus, they can detect sandstorms and avoid dangerous areas naturally. They’re as loyal as a horse—maybe even smarter.”
Sylas leaned in closer, watching as one of the Sand Runners tilted its head, studying us just as intently. “Guess we’re about to find out,” she muttered with a grin.
Though they cost 40 bronze coins each, so I will just pay with 2 silver coins, but they are worth for the journey.
Before setting out, I turned to the owner. “Do you know if there’s a shop selling mana-related items around here?”
The man frowned. “There is one, but most travelers don’t buy supplies here. They stock up before even getting to this continent.” He scratched his beard. “That said, folks from the central continent often travel here and visit the shop. Should have what you need.”
He pointed toward the right of his store. “Head straight about forty meters, take a right into an alley, walk another twenty, then turn left. You’ll see it.”
I nodded, handing him the reins of my Sand Runner. “Mind watching them while we’re gone?”
“No problem,” he replied, patting the side of a nearby lizard. “They’ll be here when you get back.”
We followed the directions, stepping into the winding paths of the port town. The streets here were a whirlwind of movement—merchants called out prices for spices and fabrics, travelers haggled with shopkeepers over worn maps and desert gear, and the scent of sizzling meat and sweetened dates clung to the warm air.
The buildings, carved from pale sandstone, stood tall against the golden light of the sun, their rooftops lined with wooden beams supporting colorful cloth canopies. These vibrant awnings, in hues of deep reds, blues, and yellows, rippled gently with the occasional breeze, casting cool shadows over the storefronts below. It was a town full of contrasts—worn yet full of energy, rustic yet lively.
It was the kind of place where seasoned wanderers and bright-eyed newcomers crossed paths, where survival meant knowing the land and respecting its people.
As we weaved through the streets, I caught sight of a merchant dramatically waving a bundle of exotic spices at a skeptical traveler.
“I swear on the sands, traveler! This is the rarest blend you’ll find this side of Degaritas! Just a pinch will turn any dish into a royal feast!”
The traveler, an older man with sun-worn clothes, crossed his arms. “You said the exact same thing about those dried lizards over there.”
The merchant gasped, utterly scandalized. “Are you insulting my fine wares? Those are a delicacy!”
Sylas chuckled beside me. “Reminds me of the traders back home, always trying to sell something ‘one of a kind.’”
Mira glanced at the spice merchant’s stall and whispered, “I bet he’s just mixing regular salt and calling it something exotic.”
I smirked but kept walking.
Ahead, Kael nearly bumped into a local man carrying a large basket full of clay pots. The man let out a startled grunt, shifting his grip just in time to keep the pots from toppling.
“Watch where you’re going, outsider,” he grumbled, narrowing his eyes.
Kael, unfazed, gave a small nod. “My bad.”
The man scoffed but moved along.
Kaldor exhaled through his nose. “Not the friendliest welcome.”
I shrugged. “We’re new here. People probably don’t trust outsiders right away.”
Sylas stretched, unconcerned. “Then we’ll just have to show them we’re not here to cause trouble.”
Passing by another stall, I noticed a woman wearing deep-blue desert robes arranging intricate glass bottles filled with swirling sand. Each bottle had a different pattern inside—some shaped into dunes, others into animals, and one even resembling a night sky.
Mira paused. “Those are beautiful.”
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with silver rings adorning her fingers, gave a knowing smile. “They tell stories. Each pattern represents a legend of the desert.”
Sylas pointed at one with a golden sun rising over dunes. “And what about this one?”
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“That,” the shopkeeper said proudly, “is the tale of the First Sunstrider, the one who tamed the desert winds and carved the first roads through the sands.”
Mira’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, but before she could ask more, I nudged her. “We can’t get too distracted—we still have a shop to find.”
She sighed but nodded, giving the bottles one last glance before we continued on.
After following the shopkeeper’s directions—right from the mount shop, down an alleyway, then left at the second turn—we finally spotted the mana shop.
Unlike the simpler stone buildings around it, Arcana Emporium had a more refined appearance. Its entrance was framed by dark wooden beams, and an intricately carved sign hung above the door, displaying its name in both common script and an unfamiliar flowing script beneath it. A faint, golden shimmer pulsed around the doorframe, hinting at some kind of passive enchantment.
I glanced at the others. “Well, here we are.”
Mira stretched her arms. “Let’s see what they’ve got.”
Pushing the door open, we stepped inside, leaving behind the lively streets and stepping into a different kind of world—one filled with the hum of magic and forgotten secrets waiting to be uncovered.
“Fancy,” Mira muttered as we stepped inside.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with potions, enchanted trinkets, and neatly labeled magic-infused items. Some glowed faintly, casting a soft blue or green hue. The air carried a faint scent of old parchment and dried herbs.
A middle-aged woman greeted us with a warm smile. “Welcome, travelers. Thank you for visiting Arcana Emporium. How can I assist you?”
I returned the smile. “We need some useful mana-related items. Also, coats to reduce the heat while traveling.”
She nodded. “Of course. I’ll have my employees bring the coats. In the meantime, feel free to browse our selection.”
I turned to the others. “Need anything else?”
Kael and Kaldor shook their heads. “The coats will be enough,” Kael said.
Sylas and Mira exchanged a glance. “We’ll take a look around,” Sylas said with a smirk.
As we browsed, the shopkeeper showcased several items. Some were completely useless for us—like a self-warming tea cup that never let your drink go cold or a wind chime infused with a calming spell. Nice, but not exactly practical.
But then there were items that caught my attention.
A cooling stone—small but able to lower body temperature when pressed against the skin.
Mana-infused water flasks—self-replenishing, drawing moisture from the air.
A sand repellent charm—creates a faint barrier around the wearer, keeping sand from sticking to clothes and gear.
Sylas and Mira seemed just as interested in those, so we decided to buy them.
Meanwhile, Kael and Kaldor had wandered off, lured by the scent of food. “We’re grabbing something to eat,” Kaldor called over his shoulder. “Smells like a local specialty.”
By the time we finished shopping, the coats had arrived. They were bulkier than I expected, but once I put mine on, it was surprisingly light and comfortable, the fabric cool against my skin.
We paid for everything, thanked the shopkeeper, and divided the supplies. I carried the extra coats while Sylas and Mira tucked the mana items into their bags.
Outside, Kael and Kaldor were waiting with satisfied looks. “You have to try this,” Kael said, handing me a wrapped portion of food. “Desert-spiced skewers. It’s incredible.”
One bite, and he wasn’t wrong. The seasoning was rich, smoky, with just the right amount of heat. Mira and Sylas grabbed their own portions, and for a moment, we just enjoyed the simple pleasure of a good meal.
Once we were done, we made our way back to the Sand Runner shop.
After settling on our mounts, we led them out of the stall, the Sand Runners’ scales catching the sunlight in hues of copper and slate. They shifted under us as we adjusted in the saddles, their limbs are powerful and ready to sprint across the desert.
Kael still looked skeptical, but with a quick nudge, the Sand Runner surged forward smoothly.
The Sand Runners are actually very fast, we almost fell off the saddles while trying to stabilize.
“These creatures are really fast just like what the stall’s owner said” I muttered
Sylas replied “Guess we are sticking to this for the rest of the journey”
As we set off, the vast landscape opened up before us—golden dunes stretching in waves, and the distant glimmer many canyons towering far ahead.
We rode out of the port, and the Sunfire Pyramid still towered in the distance, a stark monument against the deep blue sky. Sylas squinted up at it. “How do you think they built that? It makes my magic feel… well, small.”
Kael followed her gaze, his usual stoic expression softened with wonder. “Maybe it wasn’t magic, or maybe it was just a lot of hard work. Either way, it’s ancient. Can’t believe it’s real.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of awe and curiosity. “I’ve seen tall structures before but nothing like that.” I glanced at the map and sighed. "The nearest city is about a week south, but there’s a big problem in our path: the Sea of Glass.”
“Glass? Like… just a big, shiny lake or something?” Mira asked, her voice hopeful, though a hint of unease flickered in her eyes.
I shook my head, tracing the area on the map. “Not quite. I heard there are these creatures called Glass Golems there. They’re supposed to be… tough.”
Kaldor’s face fell. “Golems made of glass? Guess we are unlucky with it. Can’t we just go the other way around.”
Sylas adjusted her grip on her reins, her face set with determination. “If we avoid the Sea of Glass, though, it’ll take us through Scorpion Fiends territory.” She raised her brow with a grimace. “And I don’t think they’re known for their hospitality.”
Kael looked between us, his face as serious as I’d ever seen it. “Either way, we’re in for it. Glass Golems, Scorpion Fiends… nothing is going to be easy here. But… I’d rather see what these Golems are all about.”
Mira’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she pointed toward a distant ridge. “Look! Those things—they’re like wolves, but covered in rock! Can you imagine how strong they are?”
Sylas, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. “Sure… and how hungry they might be.” She adjusted the reins of her Sand Runner, keeping her gaze fixed on the creatures. “If they decide to come after us, I’m not volunteering to be their first meal.”
Kael, who had been quietly watching them, smirked. “They probably eat things bigger than us. Maybe they’ll just see us as an appetizer.”
Mira huffed. “You guys have no sense of adventure! Think about it—if their bodies are rock, maybe they don’t even need to eat normal food. What if they survive off minerals? Or magic?”
Kaldor snorted, shaking his head. “Great. A pack of wolves that eat magic. That’s exactly what we need. Either way, if they get any ideas, they’ll meet my sword up close. Though, I hope they’re smart enough to keep their distance.”
I smirked at their banter, but my focus remained on the creatures. They stood motionless, their rock-like forms blending seamlessly with the jagged terrain. The way they watched us, unblinking and still, sent a strange chill down my spine.
Kael narrowed his eyes. “They’re not moving.”
Sylas exhaled slowly. “They’re waiting for something.”
Mira frowned, gripping the reins a little tighter. “Like what?”
I didn’t answer right away, my fingers instinctively drifting toward my sword. The silence stretched between us, the desert wind whispering through the rocks like a distant warning.
“Let’s not find out,” I finally said. “Keep moving.”
Nobody argued.
We urged our Sand Runners forward, their clawed feet skimming across the sand. The rock wolves didn’t move. They only watched.
And for some reason, that felt more unsettling than if they had attacked.
The heat was merciless, each day pushing our endurance to its limits. Even with the coats we’d bought, the unrelenting sun drained our strength, the dry wind stealing moisture from our lips. Sandstorms struck without warning, walls of dust roaring toward us like the fury of the desert itself.
Our Sand Runners gave us warning each time—a low growl rumbling from their throats, their bodies tensing beneath us—before the storm even appeared on the horizon. The moment we heard that sound, we didn’t hesitate. Sylas would conjure a protective shield, a shimmering barrier of mana holding back the violent winds as we huddled beneath it, the desert howling around us.
Water was scarce, but thanks to our supplies, we never had to resort to desperate measures. Sylas and Mira could conjure water with magic, but I never asked them to do it just for the sake of curiosity. Though, deep down, I did wonder—what did magic-made water taste like? Would it be like normal water, or would it carry some kind of aftertaste, some lingering trace of mana?
The desert was filled with threats beyond nature’s wrath. One afternoon, a band of sand bandits emerged from the dunes, blades gleaming under the sun as they rushed toward us. They likely thought we were easy targets—travelers weighed down by exhaustion and heat.
They were wrong.
Kael moved first, vanishing into the sands like a shadow, reappearing behind one of the bandits in an instant. I heard the sharp intake of breath before the man crumpled, his weapon clattering to the ground.
Kaldor blocked a strike meant for Sylas, his hammer smashed the attacker’s blade as if it were made of fragile wood.
Sylas’ magic flared, greenish light bursting forth as a wave of wind sent two men tumbling backward.
Meanwhile, Mira stayed at the back-line casting low-tier healing magic to restore our stamina.
I closed the distance between me and their leader in a single step, both of my blades flashing in the sun as I disarmed him with a swift strike. His weapon spun through the air, landing uselessly in the sand. His men froze, eyes darting between us, realizing just how outmatched they were. After that I knocked the leader down with the blunt end of my saber.
The fight was over before it even began.
A few of them tried to scramble away, but Sylas raised a hand, vines bursting from the ground to wrap around their ankles. "Ah-ah. No running yet." She smirked.
The last few bandits had already dropped their weapons, their faces pale as they knelt in the sand, hands raised in surrender. The fight was over, but… letting them go just like that?
Where was the fun in that?
Mira stretched her arms behind her head, grinning like a cat who just found a trapped mouse. "So, what do we do with them?"
Kael, crouching beside one of the trembling bandits, tilted his head slightly, flipping his dagger between his fingers. "I could always give them a little reminder not to mess with us."
The bandit gulped. "W-We won’t! I swear!"
Kaldor crossed his arms, a smirk creeping onto his usually calm face. "You know, I heard a lot of nasty things happen when you bury someone up to their neck in the desert. The heat… the bugs… the sandworms..."
The leader of the bandits visibly twitched. "S-Sandworms?!"
Sylas clapped her hands together. "Oh, right! The big ones that sense movement underground! I read somewhere that if you wiggle your toes too much, they get curious and start heading your way."
Mira gasped, playing along perfectly. "Wait, don’t they lay eggs inside anything they catch?"
Kael, still twirling his dagger, sighed in mock sympathy. "Guess they’ll find out firsthand."
That was all it took.
"PLEASE, NOOOOO!" The leader of the bandits threw himself face-first into the sand, wailing. "WE WERE WRONG! WE'LL NEVER STEAL AGAIN! PLEASE, DON’T FEED US TO THE WORMS!"
Another bandit frantically tried to dig a hole to hide in. "I DON’T WANNA BE A WORM NEST!"
Mira looked down at the one trying to bury himself and raised an eyebrow. "Are you… are you digging your own grave?"
The man froze mid-scoop, realized what he was doing, then burst into tears.
I almost felt bad. Almost.
Kaldor leaned down slightly, his massive shadow looming over the leader. "We could let you go… but only if you do one thing for us."
"Anything!" The leader nodded furiously. "Just name it!"
Kael smirked. "Run."
That was all they needed to hear.
The bandits scrambled to their feet, kicking up sand as they bolted at full speed toward the horizon, screaming about sandworms and curses.
Mira watched them disappear into the distance before snorting. "I give them five minutes before they collapse."
Kael shrugged. "Long enough to rethink their life choices."
Kaldor stretched. "Think we’ll see them again?"
I shook my head. "If they have any sense left, they’ll never step foot in this desert again."
We all exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
With the bandits long gone and our work done, we mounted our Sand Runners and continued forward, the desert stretching endlessly before us—dangerous, vast… and just a little bit fun.
At night, the desert transformed. The unbearable heat faded into a cold that cut through our coats, and the sky above became a breathtaking expanse of endless stars.
Sylas, despite the drain on her mana, always insisted on creating a shelter for us—a dome of earth shaped with precision. I did know that she is creative in earth magic, but never knew she could conjure a dome big enough for all of us, shielding us from the wind and any wandering creatures that might approach in the night. Maybe that book she read written by the mysterious RG got some useful tricks.
One evening, as I sat on watch beside Kael, the silence of the desert stretched between us. He sat with one leg propped up, his dagger resting idly in his hand as he stared at the stars above.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. “I wonder what else is out there.”
I glanced at him. “What do you mean?”
Kael tilted his head toward the night sky. “If people built the Sunfire Pyramid, maybe there’s even more buried out here. Things we don’t know about—lost cities, ruins, forgotten magic.”
I considered that for a moment, my gaze following his to the stars above. “Maybe. But even if there’s nothing else like it, this place is still something else. Dangerous, sure. But amazing.”
Kael let out a quiet breath, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Yeah. It is.”
The wind whispered across the dunes, carrying with it the distant call of a night-dwelling creature. Somewhere, the Sand Runners let out soft, chuffing sounds, their tails flicking restlessly.
Tomorrow, we would continue forward.
After days of grueling travel, the landscape ahead began to shift.
The golden dunes gave way to something unnatural—a vast, gleaming surface that stretched as far as the eye could see, shimmering like liquid under the scorching sun. It wasn’t water. It wasn’t sand. It was something entirely different.
The Sea of Glass. Despite having the word ‘Sea’ in its name, it was actually an enormous size lake that with the light blurring your vision, you can’t see the end of it. Maybe that where the word ‘sea’ came from.
It was beautiful. Strange lights refracted across its surface, casting shifting patterns of blue and gold, creating an eerie and captivating illusion. It was as if the desert itself had frozen mid-motion, transformed into an ocean of crystal and trapped light.
Kaldor let out a low whistle, his voice hushed with unease. “It’s… incredible. But it feels wrong. Like something’s waiting.”
Sylas’ eyes flickered, her voice barely above a whisper. “Those Glass Golems… I think we’re about to find out exactly what they’re made of.”
Kael’s fingers curled around his dagger, his stance shifting slightly, instinctively ready for what was to come. “Stay alert. If this place is half as dangerous as they say, we’re in for it.”
I swallowed, gripping the reins of my Sand Runner a little tighter.
The Sea of Glass stretched before us, vast and endless. The air itself felt different here—charged with something unseen, something ancient